Living With Arthritis Blog

March Arthritis News Roundup

The Arthritis Foundation is your trusted source for information, and we’re staying on top of the latest arthritis-related news that could affect you. Here’s what you need to know about some of the headlines from this past month.

Coronavirus and ArthritisThe spread of the novel coronavirus has raised alarms in the arthritis community — especially among those whose immune systems are already compromised by an autoimmune form of arthritis or its treatment. We’re tracking the developments, checking facts and talking to top experts to get credible, reliable information you need about coronavirus and arthritis.

Other credible sources of information about coronavirus (also known as COVID-19) include the following:

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Handwashing Do’s and Don’tsWashing your hands thoroughly and frequently is one of the best and easiest ways to prevent infection not only from coronavirus but also from the common cold and the flu, which has infected and killed more people this year than COVID-19. Learn the correct way to wash your hands to stay healthy.

A Better Understanding of Methotrexate’s RisksMethotrexate has been a cornerstone of arthritis treatment for decades, but a recent study acutely reveals the medication’s potential risks. The study, by David H. Solomon, MD, MPH, a rheumatologist and clinical scientist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital at Harvard Medical School, and colleagues, found small to moderate elevations in risks for skin cancer as well as gastrointestinal, infectious, pulmonary and hematologic adverse events. This confirmed the findings of previous observational studies. However, this study looked at people with cardiovascular disease and diabetes or metabolic syndrome — not people with rheumatic conditions. Read more about this study.